13:21 Ukraine Mobilization Draft Law in the Works
The defense minister of Ukraine, Rustem Umyerov, announced that Kiev intends to reveal details of a draft law regarding mobilization "in the coming days." The legislation aims to regulate the conscript mobilization process, outlining when rotations occur and military service end dates. The Ukrainian military has requested an additional 450,000 to 500,000 soldiers for service. President Zelensky acknowledged the sensitivity of the matter and stressed the need for military, government, and parliament discussions on the topic.
Premature Babies Survival in Ukraine
The ongoing war in Ukraine has resulted in an increase in premature births. In times of conflict, caring for newborns becomes especially delicate due to risks such as power outages that can be life-threatening. The "RTL Wir helfen Kindern" foundation is providing crucial equipment and medicines to aid in their treatment.
Latvia Donates Confiscated Cars to Ukraine
In support of Ukraine, Latvia has begun shipping confiscated vehicles from drunk drivers to its neighboring country. This initiative follows the passing of a legislative amendment in February sanctioning the donation of such cars to Ukraine. To date, Latvia has supplied 271 confiscated vehicles, with an estimated total value of nearly one million euros.
Russian Icebreaker Fire in Murmansk
According to Russian reports, a fire broke out on the nuclear-powered icebreaker "Sevmorput" in Murmansk. The fire, which occurred in one of the ship's cabins, was promptly extinguished without causing any injuries. The vessel's operator, Atomflot, confirmed that the fire did not compromise the reactor plant, and the cause of the incident remains unknown.
Drone Attacks Damage Odessa's Port Infrastructure
Ukrainian military officials claim that Russian drone attacks have resulted in damage to the port infrastructure and debris from downed drones causing fires in Odessa. 17 drones were reportedly shot down in the Odessa region during this period. The military also reported destruction in Kherson and Dnipropetrovsk regions, with no casualties reported.
Ukraine Announces Downing of Two Russian Fighter Jets
Ukraine reported the shooting down of two Russian fighter jets, following nighttime attacks, with one Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jet having been downed the previous day in the Donetsk region. The Air Force also reported strikes against enemy positions, including weapons and ammunition depots. The Ukrainian military claimed to have intercepted 28 of 31 drones and two missiles during the night.
Russia Ahead in Arms Race with the West
According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Russia is taking a lead in the arms race spurred by the conflict in Ukraine. Russian production of weapons increased earlier than their counterparts in the West, and the armaments plan for the years 2025-2034 will be adopted next year.
Air Alerts Across Ukraine
An air alert was issued throughout Ukraine, warning of potential missile attacks after 9:30 am local time. Despite the alert, there were no confirmed strikes.
Ukrainians Celebrate Christmas on December 25
For the first time, most Orthodox Christians in Ukraine were celebrating Christmas on December 25 instead of January 7, distancing themselves from Russian customs. Kiev had updated its holiday calendar to incorporate the change. Only the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, closely associated with Moscow, observed the historical celebration date.
Foreign Companies Withdraw from Arctic LNG 2 Project
Foreign shareholders have decided to halt investments in the Arctic LNG 2 project due to sanctions imposed by the West. As a result, the gas will now be sold on the open market, and project control will be maintained by Russian company Novatek, which owns 60 percent of Arctic LNG 2.
Ukraine Military Intercepts Russian Drones and Missiles
Russia launched 31 drones and two missiles at Ukraine during the night, the Ukrainian military reported. The air defense forces managed to shoot down 28 drones and both missiles. The raids targeted several Ukrainian regions, including Odessa, but no casualties were reported.
Putin Staged Gift to Soldiers
According to the US Institute for the Study of War, Russian President Putin's interaction with soldiers at a ceremony on December 19 may have been staged to portray himself as an attentive leader while also pointing out the inefficiency of Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov.
West Cannot Afford to Lose Ukraine War
British Defense Secretary Grant Shepps argued that the West should not let Russia win the conflict in Ukraine, stating that any victory would result in significant repercussions for Europe, the UK, and the world.
North-Eastern Ukrainian Region Under Fire
Regional authorities reported that the Sumy region, bordering Russia, was bombarded with rocket launchers, artillery, mortars, and mines on Christmas Eve, with 68 explosions recorded but no reported injuries.
Former NATO Commander Calls for Military Support to Ukraine
Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, James Stavridis, advocated for increased military aid to Ukraine, stating that the country could afford its support and that the US and European allies had a duty to provide help.
Ukrainian Air Force Downs Russian SU-34 Fighter Jet
Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleschuk announced on Telegram that an SU-34 fighter-bomber was destroyed by Ukrainian air defense missile systems heading toward Mariupol, and confirmed that the SU-30s were under attack in the Black Sea near Odessa.
Russian Confirmations of Casualties in Donetsk
Russian officials reported one civilian death and six injuries in Ukrainian shelling of Horlivka, a Russian-occupied town in eastern Ukraine. Multiple buildings, including a shopping center, were damaged in the attacks.
Civilian Deaths in Kherson after Russian Attacks
According to Ukrainian reports, five civilians were killed in Russian attacks on Kherson, with three casualties in the shelling of a residential building and apartment, one death from a drone attack in a small town south of Kherson, and another death in heavy shelling of a town further north.
4.1 Million Ukrainian Refugees in the EU
The European Union Asylum Agency reported that the number of asylum applicants has skyrocketed, with around 1.17 million Ukrainian refugees now residing in Germany and 957,000 in Poland. In total, over 4.16 million Ukrainian refugees are now in the EU, having increased by 320,000 since January.
Ukraine Celebrates Christmas on December 25
Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrated Christmas on December 25 instead of January 7 for the first time, following Kiev's decision in the summer to distance themselves from Russian traditions. Thousands of believers attended services to commemorate Christmas, as confirmed by Ukrainian Ambassador to Germany Oleksii Makeiev.
Putin Supporters Gather in Moscow
Hundreds of supporters of former separatist leader Igor Girkin gathered in Moscow to voice their support for his potential presidential candidacy for 2024. Proponents called for his freedom and expressed admiration for his stance on the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Russian Escalation in Attacks on Dnipro Bridgeheads
Ukrainian military officials claimed that Russian armed forces increased their attacks on Dnipro's left bank in southern Ukraine on December 24. Although the defenders repelled the attacks, they reported significant losses.
You can read all previous developments here.
